Though this is done primarily outside of class, having students write on a blog is a way to increase their engagement in the course. I have only tried this with my French 5 students but could potentially do this with other classes. I have been doing the blog for about 3 years.
Throughout the course of the year, I create posts on my blog in French for students to respond to. I often choose topics related to current events or topics I think are of interest to students. Other times, I will relate something we have done in class to the blog. The blog is often assigned for homework, but it can also be done for extra credit. Though this year I was not able to start the blog until January, students did write on it outside of class. It gave them an opportunity to express themselves in written French freely, without being graded on their accuracy. It also gave some of the more quiet students an opportunity to have their voices heard, the stronger students to 'show off' their skills, and those who struggled with writing an opportunity to get additional practice.
In the future, I could potentially hand over the blog to student(s) at times by making them admins, which would increase their engagement.
Though this is done primarily outside of class, having students write on a blog is a way to increase their engagement in the course. I have only tried this with my French 5 students but could potentially do this with other classes. I have been doing the blog for about 3 years.
Throughout the course of the year, I create posts on my blog in French for students to respond to. I often choose topics related to current events or topics I think are of interest to students. Other times, I will relate something we have done in class to the blog. The blog is often assigned for homework, but it can also be done for extra credit. Though this year I was not able to start the blog until January, students did write on it outside of class. It gave them an opportunity to express themselves in written French freely, without being graded on their accuracy. It also gave some of the more quiet students an opportunity to have their voices heard, the stronger students to 'show off' their skills, and those who struggled with writing an opportunity to get additional practice.
In the future, I could potentially hand over the blog to student(s) at times by making them admins, which would increase their engagement.